In August 2013, an article titled “Risk of bladder cancer in diabetic patients treated with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone: a nested case–control study.” was published by F.Y. Hsiao et al. in the medical journal Drug Safety that aimed to evaluate the connection between rosiglitazone (Avandia) and bladder cancer and between pioglitazone (Actos) and bladder cancer. The team writes “Evidence has emerged that pioglitazone may increase the risk of bladder cancer, but the association has not been confirmed. This potential risk also has not been evaluated in users of rosiglitazone.”
To obtain data for this study, Hsiao et al. searched through Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database and identified “3,412 cases of newly diagnosed bladder cancer and 17,060 controls”. Control subjects were those who had diabetes but used neither Avandia nor Actos.
After a series of statistical analyses, the team determined that both Actos and Avandia were associated with bladder cancer. Use of Actos for less than one year made one 45% more likely to develop bladder cancer, use of Actos for 1-2 years made patients 74% more likely, and use of Actos for more than two years made people about 3 times as likely to develop bladder cancer than non-exposed patients.
Concerning Avandia, patients were 78% more likely to develop bladder cancer with 1-2 years of use, and twice as likely to develop bladder cancer with more than two years of use.
Due to the fact that a number of people have used Actos and Avandia unaware of the risk for bladder cancer associated with these drugs, a number of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits have been filed. If you or a loved one used Actos and suffered bladder cancer, you too may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your injuries.
For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Actos lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
(855) 452 – 5529